Name：Jinmanlou KTV(金满楼KTV)

Address：Zhengnan Street,Heqing County,Dali

Name：Judian Wine Bar(聚点酒吧)

Address：Jinputi Street,Heqing County,Dali

Name：Yikang Massage(益康推拿)

Address：Jinputi Street,Heqing County,Dali

Name：Landiao Bar(蓝调酒吧)

Address：B-9-12，Jinputi Street,Heqing County,Dali

Name：Yixian Tea Bar(吧)

Address：Jinputi Street,Heqing County,Dali

Xinhua, also known as Shizhaizi, is a Bai ethnic village in the northwest of Heqing County of Dali Prefecture. It’s only 40 kilometers or 30 minutes’ drive from Lijiang.

In the dialect of local Bais, Xinhua is called “Nahezi”, “Buhezi”, and “Zhoyiguozi”. For centuries, Xinhua has been noted for its silverwares preferred by Tibetans and other minority groups. Villagers there inherited the family trade since the Nanzhao Period (738-937) in the Tang Dynasty. Each family is a factory or workshop for handicrafts made from silver, copper, and even gold. Marked as “Shizhaizi Silverwares”, silverwares from Xinhua Village are especially popular in ethnic areas of Yunnan, Sichuan, Qinghai, Tibet, Xinjiang, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Guizhou and Hunan etc; some are even exported to India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal, Japan and the United States.

Located at the foot of the Phoenix Mountain, Xinhua Village boasts many natural springs whose water gushes out from gardens of local families. A wide area of wetlands has been conserved around the Black Dragon Pool (Hei Long Tan) that is also locally called “Shizhaizi Dragon Pool”. Pastoral sceneries of farmlands, stony hills and streams can be upheld all the year around. Taking into consideration of its traditional workmanship and abundant subterranean water resources, the China Ministry of Culture Department and China Rural Development Committee bestowed Xinhua Village “the Hometown of Folk Arts” and “the Hometown of Folk Culture”. In 2010, Xinhua Village was approved as a state 4A-level scenic spot.

In the south village (Nanyi Village) of Shizhaizi, you can visit Yuhuangge (Jade Emperor Temple) on the Phoenix Mountain and the Patron God Shrine near Xingzi Dragon Pool; while in the north village (Beiyi Village), you can explore to Heguang Temple and a seven-storeyed pagoda.

Price: Average Prices: USD 3 to 7

Address:No.164,Yuehua Street,Nanzhao Weishan Old Town.

2. Time on Cloud Café（云上的日子）

Price: Average Prices: USD 3 to 8

Address: No.123,Yuehua Street,Nanzhao Weishan Old Town.

Conquering Chengdu and the important food production capacity of the Sichuan Basin was Nanzhao’s crowning achievement, but also contained the seeds of its downfall. The Tang Dynasty that was ruling China at the time could not brook such a loss and focused much of its military might on reclaiming Sichuan and pushing Nanzhao’s borders back. By 902 Nanzhao had fallen apart and was overthrown.

In 937 the Kingdom of Dali was founded by Duan Siping (段思平). This kingdom never reached the heights of power enjoyed by the Nanzhao, but it did last longer, surviving until 1253, when it was overrun by invading Mongol forces and incorporated into Yunnan province, which fell under the authority of the Mongol-ruled Yuan Dynasty. Most of the records of the Nanzhao era were destroyed by Mongol forces and for all intents and purposes Dali and Yunnan were never to be fully independent again.

Over the following centuries, Dali remained an important trading town on the Ancient Tea and Horse Road, an extensive trading network connecting Han China with Tibet, Southeast Asia and India – with Dali and Yunnan at the center of it all. Dali was often the northernmost stop for tea traders coming up from southern Yunnan and an eastern stopping point for Tibetans coming down with herbal medicines, salt and yak products.

Dali was also a major horse market for the ancient trade route. Horses were raced during the annual Third Moon Fair (三月街) that is still held between the old town and the mountains, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from around Yunnan and northern Southeast Asia.

The old town of Dali was originally built in the 15th Century under rule by the Ming Dynasty. What you see in Dali Old Town today is the rebuilt Ming town. Since then, the fortunes of Dali have declined and its importance as a cultural and economic centre in the Yunnan area have been overtaken by Kunming, the provincial capital.

1856-1872 Dali was the headquarters of the Panthay Rebellion led by Du Wenxiu. That rebellion commenced as an uprising against local oppressive rulers by the Hui Muslim minority and ended as open rebellion against the Qing Dynasty. The Palace of Du Wenxiu is on Fuxing Road and serves as the local museum (the museum exhibition on the rebellion paints it as a patriot workers revolt which it was not). The rebellion was brutally crushed by the Qing and hundreds of thousands of Yunnan Muslims were killed in revenge.

1.Sandaocha (三道茶)

Address:Dali Old Town

“Sandaocha” is a traditional regional tea ceremony consisting of three unique tea flavors, and is an experience not to be missed in Dali. The host begins by presenting a bitter tea which stands for the hardships in life. Then, a sweet tea of sesame and walnut symbolic of happiness in life. Finally, a bitter, sweet, and spicy tea symbolic of pondering life.

2.Yihaoyuan Spa（一号院Spa馆）

Tel：0872-8899111

Address:No.9Boai Road,Dali Old Town

3.Yinghua Wine Bar (樱花酒吧)

Tel：0872-2679889

Address: Yangren Street,Dali Old Town

4.Xingzuo Café（星座咖啡）

Tel：18669418885

Address:Guangwu Road,Dali Old Town

5.Canghaiwan Spring Hotel（苍海湾温泉酒店）

Tel：0872-8889188

Address:Nanguo City,Dali Old Town

According to literature, Dali Ancient City was a gateway to the Silk Road in Southwest China,and also served as a seat of government and a major military barracks for Yunnan Province in ancient times.There were four city gates facing West, East,North and South,upon which a gate tower set.Four further towers were also placed at the four corners of the city wall. As it underwent many phases of prosperity as well as decline,only the city base remained till today.The North and the South Towers were restored in 1982.

Dali Old Town is famous for traditional Bai-style architecture.The Bai are one of the 56 ethnic groups officiallyrecognized by the People’s Republic of China.In 1956,of their own will they were named the Bai Nationality by Chinese Authorities.Bai people live mostly in the provinces of Yunnan (Dali area),and in neighboring Guizhou and Hunan provinces.Eighty percent of Bai population of China lives in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province.The Bai people hold the white colour in high esteem and call themselves “Baipzix”,“Baip’ho”,or “Baip yinl”,or “Miep jiax”.In Chinese “bai”means white.

Traditional Bai-style dwelling consists of three houses forming a “U” and a fourth wall as a screen with a courtyard in the middle.The houses are usually built with brick and wood,and the main room is in the middle,opposite the screen wall.The screen wall is built with brick and stone.There’s a practical use for that wall.When the sun shines on the screen wall in the afternoon the sunlight is reflected back to the courtyard,thus illuminating the whole area.

There is a Bai saying,“Pebbles make walls that never collapse.”That’s why some people build up their homes by selecting pebbles from the streams that flow down from the Cangshan Mountain and mixing them with mud.These homes are usually topped with mud brick walls and sealed with a mud and grass plaster mix.The foundation of a Bai building is usually constructed of rectangular stones.The stones often weigh in excess of 600 pounds each.

The house is painted in white with black tile paintings depicting animals and nature.The detailing usually is made of clay sculpture,woodcarving,colored drawing,stone inscription,marble screened and dark brink.

Gates are decorated with colorful paintings depicting various stories.Sometimes these include marble slabs,and even valued porcelain plates to show the owner’s wealth.

Walls are usually painted in white which serves as a reflecting wall to bring in sunshine and warmth.Often people paint prosperous sayings such as ‘Fu’ (fortune), ‘Shou’ (longevity),or ‘Xi’ (happiness). 

Construction of the house is a village and family affair.Ground is broken on carefully chosen prosperous days of the Lunar calendar.Local religious leaders will often visit the site in advance and make the selection based on Feng Shui.Building begins with a party,with friends and neighbors gathering to help raise the first timbers.After upholding other rituals,the work waits for another day as a feast to celebrate the beginning of the new constructions is held.

1.There are many bars in the town. You can slow your pace and find a lakeside one in which to relax. Wi-Fi is available so surfing on the Internet is not a problem.

2.Lakeside bicycling. The suggested way is to ride from Shuanglang to Wase Town which is about 15 kilometers. There is a slope on the way and, on top of the slope, there is a small hill. From this hill, you will get a great view of Erhai Lake.

3.In the low fishing period, you can rent a small boat. You can enjoy slowly rowing on Erhai Lake, continuing on to Little Putuo Island and Nanzhao Island, where you can have some fun.

4.Walk along Yuji Island and visit the Sun Palace of Yangliping — China’s famous dancer who created the Peacock Dance. The scenery on the way is fantastic.

5.Visit a local family and get to know the local people’s daily lives.

Taste all kinds of food there. The delicious foods such as marine fish, mandarin oranges, line rice noodles, hot pots and barbecues can’t be missed.

6.Go to Wase Fair as it is another way to experience the local lifestyles. The fair dates are the 5th and 10th of each month. Wase Fair is 10 kilometers away and is the most popular one. During the fair, people from different villages flow into the market. You will see how they buy and sell things, and how they bargain with each other, which is interesting.

The Beliefs of Bai People

Bai people believed in witchcraft initially, which still lingers in the remote area of Nujiang. During Tang dynasty (618-907), Buddhism was introduced. Fascinated by the doctrines and ideologies, the rulers of Nanzhao Kingdom promoted this religion to its extreme. Among the 22 kings, 10 became monks. Commoners of both gender occupied themselves with reading Buddhism poetry and sutra day and night. Dali became a land of Buddhism in no time. During Yuan and Ming, Daoism and Confucianism penetrated. The result is a cultural boom signified by the co-existence of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism. Meanwhile, nature worship, totem worship, hero worship also hold a space in the mind of Bai people, among which, Benzhu Worship is the most distinctive one.

Benzhu, also known as Wuzeng or Daobo, roughly means “the most revered protection God of native territory”. It is the protection god of their families and villages, who can bestow farmers with good harvest, scholars with academic achievement, artisans with peerless craftsmanship and businessmen with great fortune. Among the over 500 Benzhu gods, each has mythological or heroic story and character.

These secularized gods mainly consist of Buddha, kings, generals, heroes and even enemies. For instance, the Mighty Black God (God of Epidemic) of Tibetan Buddhism is entitled as Benzhu. Legend had it that Bai people lived so happily in this blessed land that even God felt jealousy. One day, the Mighty Black God was sent to Yunnan to spread epidemic. Intoxicated by the enticing scenery and warm-hearted people, he imbibed  the poisonous juice, which scorched him  black. To thank him, Bai people make him a Benzhu God. Wu Sangui, a notorious military general living in the Ming dynasty, brought much disaster to Yunnan and its dwellers. Rather than bear hatred, Bai people title him a Benzhu God also, and pacify him with offerings from time to time. Wishing for a happy present life, Bai people will erect at least one Benzhu monastery in their village. During the sacrifice day, those senior Bai people will gather there, beating the wooden fish and praying for good harvest, peace and prosperity. Benzhu Festival is one of the most important festival of Bai people.